San Diego News

CBP Intercepts 1246 Pounds Of Narcotics In 24 Hours At Cargo Facility

Otay Mesa, California - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa cargo facility Thursday stopped four separate attempts to smuggle approximately 1225 pounds of marijuana, 15 pounds of heroin, and 6 pounds of methamphetamine within 24 hours.

On June 12, at 5 a.m., CBP officers inspected three commercial trucks pulling empty trailers and noticed each contained fire extinguishers in their cabin. CBP canine teams searched the extinguishers and the detector dogs alerted to them. CBP officers placed the extinguishers on a baggage x-ray machine revealing anomalies with the contents.

CBP officers sawed open the fire extinguishers, three of them contained heroin, and two others contained methamphetamine.

Later that day, at 1 p.m., CBP officers referred a small moving-truck for intensive inspection. A CBP canine team searched the truck and its contents and the detector dog alerted to boxes within the trailer. CBP officers found several large packages of marijuana comingled with personal belongings, hidden inside the boxes. Several large packages of marijuana estimated at more than $860,000.

CBP seized the narcotics, three trucks, and trailers. The combined value of the illegal drugs is estimated at more than $860,000.

“CBP officers put forth an outstanding effort interdicting these dangerous drugs and at the same time expeditiously moving legitimate trade through the port of entry,” said Otay Mesa cargo Port Director Rosa Hernandez. “CBP officers are without a doubt our agencies greatest asset.”